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Common ivy

Common ivy

Evergreen climber

Sometimes, the walls, cliffs and rocks around the caves are surrounded by a magnificent green mantle, creating very interesting shapes. The ivy, which is also very common in our forests, creates the artwork.

                                         Source: Pixabay

Common ivy (Hedera helix)

Size
  • up to 50 m high
Blooming period
  • September - November
Habitat
  • shady, moist
Distribution
  • in Slovenia from lowlands to mountains
   
Kingdom
  • Plantae
Phylum
  • Tracheophyta
Class
  • Magnoliopsida
Order
  • Apiales
Family
  • Araliaceae
Genus
  • Hedera (Ivy)
Species
  • Common Ivy (Hedera helix)

 

Ivy is an evergreen climber that thrives in shady and moist habitats, on house walls, trees, and as an ornamental plant in gardens. It climbs upwards with the help of special anchoring roots, which serve only as support and do not extract water or nutrients from the trees.

However, ivy can prevent other plants from growing because it grows really big and covers the whole ground.

It can grow up to 50 meters high. The young leaves of common ivy are light green, while the older ones are dark green. The plant flowers from September to November, with yellow-green flowers grouped in umbels. The small, almost black fruits ripen on upright stems only in spring. The fruits are rarely used for medicinal purposes, as they are toxic to humans.


 

 Souce: Pixabay

DID YOU KNOW?

  1. On the southeastern edge of the Karst region in the Municipality of Divača lies the village of Škocjan. In front of house number 10, you can admire a massive ivy that already resembles a tree.

  2. In late winter and early spring, ivy fruits are a favorite food of birds, who then spread the seeds around.

  3. In the past, brides used to wear ivy at weddings, as it was believed to bring good luck in marriage.